Tuesday December 5, 2023

In NBA First, Clippers Launch Direct-to-Consumer Streaming Option

  • New 'ClipperVision' to offer six live streams.
  • Team will charge $199.99 for 74 games this season.
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Linkedin
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

Peyton and Eli Manning’s popular “ManningCast” for “Monday Night Football” has popularized so-called “MegaCasts.”

With the NBA poised to tip off its new season on Tuesday, leave it to Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer to offer fans a direct-to-consumer streaming platform with more options than ever before. 

On Monday, the Clippers announced the launch of “ClipperVision” — a streaming service with six live viewing options with no cable subscription necessary.  

Among the in-market offerings: 

  • “BallerVision” with live commentary from Clippers legends like Jamal Crawford, Baron Davis, and Paul Pierce.
  • An augmented reality “CourtVision” stream with graphics for real-time shot probability and statistics.
  • Korean and Spanish-language calls of the game.

During a talk with reporters, Ballmer, former chief executive officer of Microsoft, said he’s been mulling a direct-to-consumer strategy since buying the Clippers for $2 billion in 2014. 

“We’re trying to think about: How do we transform the experience our fans can have watching the game?” said the Clippers owner. 

The team developed “ClipperVision” via a partnership with Bally Sports, the NBA, and the league’s NextGen platform.

The service will cost $199.99 (less than $17 a month) for 74 games this season. Fans can sign up starting Monday, Oct. 17, and the first live stream will be Saturday, Oct. 22 (Clippers at Sacramento Kings).

It will also offer video-on-demand and be available to out-of-market and international Clippers fans via NBA League Pass.

Basketball fans won’t need a pay-TV subscription to access “ClipperVision,” and buyers get a Clippers-branded jacket and regular-season access to Bally Sports+. 

“BallerVision” will be part of all 74 “ClipperVision” games this season. Ballmer described the free-wheeling stream as “guys sitting at the barbershop, waiting for a haircut, watching the game — and talking.”

And, yes, the animated team owner will make guest appearances along with celebrity Clippers fans.

The new “ClipperVision” won’t impact the franchise’s existing linear TV deals. Fans will still be able to watch games in the Los Angeles market on Bally Sports SoCal and the KTLA broadcast network. 

The NBA, meanwhile, has been ramping up its own “MegaCasts.” The league debuted the new “HooperVision” with Crawford and Quentin Richardson on NBA League Pass last season. 

The league’s 76th season tips off Tuesday night with an Opening Night doubleheader on TNT featuring the Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers at the NBA Champion Golden State Warriors. 

Linkedin
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

The Australia men's cricket team celebrating winning the 2023 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup.

Amazon Secures ICC Cricket Broadcast Media Rights in Australia

Prime Video will be Australia's exclusive home for ICC events through 2027.
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott throws a pass during the first half against the Seattle Seahawks at AT&T Stadium.

Amazon Bounces Back With Record Viewership

The Dallas Cowboys’ win over the Seattle Seahawks averaged 15.26 million viewers.
Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic looks to move the ball past Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. during the second quarter at the American Airlines Center.

The NBA Has Autumn Relevance Thanks To In-Season Tournament

The league set a new attendance record in the month of November.
LeBron-James

Would Disney's ESPN Walk Away From The NBA?

Will financial pressures impact the company's decision with a longtime partner?
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

Premier League Sets New Bar with Media Deals

0:00
0:00

Featured Today

The College Football Playoff is considering rotating TV networks for the national championship game.

CFP Considers Super Bowl-Like Rotation For National Championship Game

Multiple networks could share rights to the championship game, sources told FOS.
Brett Favre
November 27, 2023

Favre Welfare Case Hold-Up? "AG’s Office Has Not Expressed Interest In Pursuing"

The DOJ interviewed Brett Favre in early 2020.
The future of the Pac-12 rests on a court decision.
November 24, 2023

The Pac-12 Plays Its Final Regular-Season Game. Then A Court Decides Its Fate.

The conference's future rests with a court decision.
Lane Kiffin
November 9, 2023

Ole Miss, Lane Kiffin Lawyers Argue for Dismissal of Player Lawsuit

FOS obtained audio of Lane Kiffin's interaction with the player behind lawsuit.

Careers

Powered By

Careers in Sports

Looking for a new job? Check out these featured listings and search for openings all over the world.
Wasserman
Multiple - USA Careers
Live Nation
Multiple - USA Careers
Saco Bay PT
Multiple - USA Careers
ESPN Stephen A. Smith

Stephen A. Smith to ESPN: 'I Want To Be Highest-Paid Talent'

With a number one show, Stephen A. Smith wants to become number one in compensation.
English Premier League teams Leeds United and Brighton Hove & Albion in action during a match.
December 4, 2023

Premier League Reasserts Dominance With $8.5B Domestic Rights Deals

Deals achieve small rights fee increase for top European league.
Florida Disney by The Enquirer/Leigh Taylor, Alicia Devine/Tallahassee Democrat, Jonah Hinebaugh-USA TODAY, Andrea Melendez/The News-Press/USA Today.
December 5, 2023

Seminoles’ CFP Snub Opens New Front in Disney vs. Florida War

Florida lawmakers are already considering legislation to protest the College Football Playoff's exclusion of Florida State.
Sponsored

NHL’s Chris Foster on Amplifying Content Distribution With Automation

Learn how the NHL is using WSC Sports to increase fan engagement.
Peyton Manning on the ManningCast
exclusive
December 4, 2023

ESPN’s ManningCast Goes Double: Two MNF Games, Two Brothers, One Epic Show

Peyton and Eli Manning will call two “Monday Night Football” games at the same time on Dec. 11 as ManningCast expands across ESPN.
December 1, 2023

Formula 1's Growth Hits A Speed Bump With U.S. Viewers

Races on ESPN were down 8% from 2022.
Detailed view of the new In-Season Tournament court before the game between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Dallas Mavericks at the Smoothie King Center.
November 30, 2023

New Orleans Pelicans Reportedly Headed For Local Television

The Pelicans could air games on over-the-air channel Fox 8.
Professional-Fighters-League
November 30, 2023

PFL, ESPN Agree on New Multiyear Broadcast Rights Deal

ESPN+ PPV will be the home of the PFL’s new Super Fight Division.